Leeds International Festival of Ideas - better known to most of us as LIFI - has confirmed its blockbuster line-up of speakers and performers for 2025.
Starring in the brilliant cultural event this year will be the likes of David Baddiel, Victoria Derbyshire, Vicky McClure, Caitlin Moran, Sally Wainwright and loads more.
Speakers at this year's LIFI range from hip-hop legends to comedy icons, who will take part in the packed programme of panels, talks and performances this autumn.
Taking place between 14 and 18 October, LIFI25 will touch on a wide range of subjects, including power, politics, parenthood, identity and resilience.
The festival will once again take place at Leeds Playhouse, across its Quarry and Courtyard spaces, with daytime and evening sessions, accessible pricing, and community programming.
Headline events will include a fireside conversation with Chuck D, called How Hip-Hop Changed the World, hosted by broadcaster Nihal Arthanayake.
The legendary Sally Wainwright OBE - creator of Happy Valley, among other Yorkshire-based dramas - will sit down with actress Tamsin Greig to discuss their bold new upcoming drama Riot Women.
David Baddiel will present 'Is Religion the Ultimate Culture War?', while Myleene Klass MBE leads a relatable conversation around the mental load of motherhood, called 'Can Mums Have It All?'.
'How Level is the Playing Field?' will be a debate on gender equality in sport, featuring Fara Williams MBE, Verity Smith, Emily Campbell and more.
Myleene KlassSally Wainwright OBEVicky McClureWilliam HansonSome of the speakers confirmed for this year's LIFI
Celebrated actress Vicky McClure MBE is set to bring her inspiring project Our Dementia Choir Live to Leeds for this year's LIFI programme.
There'll also be loads of panel discussions which will touch on everything from domestic abuse and toxic masculinity to geopolitics, overtourism and motherhood.
Martin Dickson, Festival Director, said: “LIFI25 is the most urgent and exciting edition yet. In an increasingly polarised world, we need safe spaces to explore difficult topics with empathy, expertise and a sense of hope.
"This year’s line-up reflects the richness of public discourse, from legendary cultural icons to everyday change-makers, all ready to challenge ideas, share truths and spark curiosity. Leeds has always been a city of voices. LIFI is where they come together."
Tickets will go on sale to priority subscribers via the LIFI newsletter on 19 June at 1pm, with general sale opening on 24 June at 1pm.
Fans are encouraged to sign up by 19th June at 11am at leedsinternationalfestival.com to secure first access and see the full programme.
Tesco has officially unveiled its Christmas Meal Deal menu for 2026, and has revealed when it’ll be arriving in stores.
Spooky season may not have even arrived yet, but it won’t be long before the most wonderful time of the year is here and most of the UK’s major supermarkets have already started stocking their shelves with Christmas food, drink, and gifts galore.
Tesco has now unveiled all the sandwiches and snacks forming part of its iconic lunchtime meal deal selection.
10 new seasonal mains and sides have been launched this year, as well as some classics and returning fan favourites too.
Images: Tesco
The retailer says its food on-the-go experts have worked hard to bring a variety of festive flavours and great-quality ingredients together this year, with something on offer to cater to all tastes and preferences.
Available in stores and online from next week, with Tesco Clubcard members paying just £3.80 or £5.50 to upgrade to a Premium Meal Deal, some of the all-new main options you can choose from in 2026’s festive lineup include the Fully Loaded Chicken, Stuffing, Braised Red Cabbage & Cranberry Sauce Sandwich, the Christmas Triple Sandwich, and the Pork Meatball Wrap with smoky sage and onion mayonnaise.
Other returning favourites include the Brie and Cranberry Sandwich, the Currywurst Sausage Sub, and the absolute classic Turkey & Trimmings Sandwich.
For veggies and vegans, there’s a new Tesco Plant Chef Christmas Veg Fest Wrap, and for those who follow a gluten free diet, you can grab the Gluten Free Festive Chicken & Trimmings sandwich.
When it comes to snacks to accompany those mains, the festive Mini Pork Pies and Pig in Blanket Sausage Rolls are returning to the lineup this year, alongside some new additions like the Pretzels with Salted Caramel Soft Cheese Dip, and Mini Cheese Twists.
The 2026 Tesco Christmas Meal Deal range will be in stores across the UK from Monday 12 October, and there’s thousands of combinations to try.
Loads of famous spooky films are returning to Leeds cinemas this Halloween
Emily Sergeant
Lots of iconic spooky films are returning to Leeds cinemas this Halloween, alongside some new releases.
Now that October is here, there’s no denying that the spooky season is right around the corner, and Vue has announced that a whole host of creepy classics and the latest frightening flicks set to hit the big screen over the next couple of weeks – ranging from undeniable horrors, to family-friendly gems perfect for viewers of all ages.
Several cinemas across Leeds ill be taking part, including inside the Light and at Kirkstall.
Disney’s much-loved Hocus Pocus kicks off the lineup this month, before supernatural classics The Others and The Craft are back to terrify moviegoers from 16 October.
Iconic slasher film Scream – which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year – also returns to cinemas from 23 October.
Image: Unsplash
Cult-classic Donnie Darko and Guillermo Del Toro’s masterpiece Pan’s Labyrinth round out the re-releases on 30 October, to celebrate their 25th and 20th anniversaries, respectively.
Then, when it comes to new releases, you can settle in to watch new psychological thriller, Verity, adapted from the acclaimed Colleen Hoover novel of the same name and starring Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson.
Meanwhile, Ghosts: The Possession of Button House, based on the beloved and award-winning BBC comedy, arrives on 23 October.
Other new releases include The Other Mommy, DC’s Clayface, and Crawlers.
And if the lineup wasn’t good enough as it is on its own, film lovers at Vue Quayside, Printworks, and Bolton can also enjoy Vue’s biggest and comfiest seat, the ‘Ultra Lux’ – which are strategically positioned to give the best possible view of the big screen with extra-wide armrests, a personal table for snacks and drinks, and a state-of-the-art beverage cooler.
“This October, we’re thrilled to be able to put on a raft of new and classic films for fans of scary and spooky films,” commented Mike Anton, who is the General Manager at Vue Manchester Printworks.
“From family-friendly comedy horrors to cult favourites, we know how gripping scary films can be and want to provide the very best big screen experience for people to enjoy every laugh and every scare this Halloween, leaving them with an experience they’ll feel forever.”
Find out the full lineup of films near you and book tickets online here.
Daisy Jackson -
18th June 2025 
